Friday 28 February 2020

February 28, 2020

Toronto District School Board
Finance Department
E-mail: belltimes@tdsb.on.ca

Dear Parents/Guardians at Owen PS,

Last June, Toronto District School Board Trustees approved an operating budget plan for the 2019-20 school year that required $67.8 million in staff reductions and changes to programs/services to address provincial government funding reductions and the TDSB’s annual structural deficit.

One of the changes approved last year was to stagger school start and end times at a number of elementary schools starting September 2020. Staggering school start and end times allows us to plan bus routes more efficiently, which is projected to save the TDSB approximately $2.5 million dollars. This is important as the TDSB currently spends more on student transportation than we receive from the government. We anticipate that these changes will also result in improvements to our transportation services.

As of September 2020, the start and end times of your school will change to:
Start time (morning bell): 9:10 a.m.
End time (afternoon bell): 3:40 p.m.

Please note that supervision will continue to be provided 15 minutes before the morning bell and 15 minutes after the afternoon bell.

We understand that this may be a change to your family’s routine. However, if we did not reduce transportation costs by staggering school start and end times, we would have to reduce other services and supports to students that would have more direct and negative impact on classroom teaching.
Beyond the cost savings of adjusting bell times to find efficiencies in student transportation, other benefits include:
 Improving service to remaining routes, as fewer bus drivers will be needed, which will help address the ongoing bus driver shortage;
 Ensuring that we maintain transportation services for all students currently being bussed (no service reductions) and maintain other important supports and services for all students; and,
 Removing approximately 55 busses from transportation routes, thereby reducing the board’s carbon footprint by approximately 2,750 metric tonnes per year. 

Public Meetings and Webinars
We will be holding in-person and online information meetings to answer questions and provide any additional information parents/guardians may need in order to assist with this transition.
In-person Information Meetings:
 Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at Richview CI (1738 Islington Ave., Etobicoke)
 Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at David and Mary Thomson CI (125 Brockley Dr., Scarborough)

Child-minding and interpretation services will be available upon request for the in-person meetings. Please email belltimes@tdsb.on.ca to request these services.
Virtual Information Meetings – Online Webchat:
 Thursday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
 Thursday, March 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Please visit www.tdsb.on.ca at the dates and times listed above to connect to the Virtual Information Meeting (online webchat).
While we understand that these changes may impact some families more than others, we are hopeful that everyone will understand that changing school start and end times will help prevent further cuts to programs and supports for students.
Please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/belltimes for more information about the changes. If you have any questions, please email belltimes@tdsb.on.ca or speak with your school Principal.
Sincerely,
Craig Snider
Executive Officer, Finance

_________________________________

Please check the Lost and Found

- in the front hallway in front of the gym 
- in the kindergarten hallway 

Please see if your child is missing any items. Clothing will be packed on the Friday before the March Break and will be donated for others to use.
_________________________________

Windfields Cancellation of After 
Grade 5 Night

We just wanted to let you know that as a result of the continued sanctions we will have to postpone our after grade 5 night again. At this point we will wait to see but we will still have the orientation week for our feeder schools between April 27th and May 1st.







Join us for the Parents as Partners Conference on Saturday, March 28, 2020!

This all-inclusive conference is organized by TDSB parents for TDSB parents, guardians and caregivers. Participate in workshops, network with parents and community agencies and learn new strategies to support your child’s success.   https://www.parentsaspartners.ca/

Who:
ALL parents/guardians/caregivers of TDSB students are invited and welcome to attend.

What:
Parents as Partners Conference 2020 is a FREE conference. Whether your child is just beginning on their educational journey in elementary school or closer to graduation and planning for the future, there are informative and empowering sessions for parents/guardians/caregivers of students of all ages and stages of education.

Where:
Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, Ontario 

Why:
The Parents as Partners Conference 2020 is planned by parents, for parents and we are so pleased to be able to offer a selection of sessions that cover a broad range of topics to provide parents with useful information and resources to help your child improve their achievement and well-being at school and at home.
_________________________________

Hot Lunch Program - Highlights for March 2020

Back by popular demand:

· Spaghetti with Meatballs in tomato sauce (other versions available online)
· Tuna Sandwich on a whole wheat kaiser

_________________________________
Cultural Heritage Month Display

Thank you to our families who have created the amazing displays in our main hallway to showcase the traditions and celebrations of our families. Currently on display is an African Heritage display and Chinese New Year. 


______________________________
Club Schedule
*Due to the current job action clubs and teams are on hold.

Name of Club
Teachers Involved
Student Grade/Division Applicable
Location 
(Rm number)
Day of the Week 
Time of Day
FLL Jr. Club
Smyth, Hammond
Grade 3 & 4
Library
January - May,
Date TBD
Eco Club
Lam/McArthur

Library/outdoors
Tues @noon
Maths Club
Balaban, Ching
3-5
Rm110
Wednesday lunch
French Choir
Chorale française
Bourassa-Wilson, Ching
Gr. 1-5FI
Room 121
Salle 121
Tuesdays 
October- March
English Choir




Backgammon Club
Robert 
Ericka
Grades 2- 5
Room 112-113
January - March
12:00 Wednesdays
Graffiti Club
Sion
2-5
116
Thursdays, 12:00 to 12:30
Writing Club
Sarah Burchell
Gr. 4/5
Portable 1
January- March
12:00 - Friday
Dance Club
Hammond
1-5
Library
January - March
Fridays 12:00

Library Helpers
Ierullo
4-5
Library
Day 3 and 5 at 11:50
Spirit Council/Athletic Council
Kuzic
4-5
Gym/Library

Drama Club
Bromley
3-5
Portable 2
Monday
Mindfulness Club
Vezina
Hammond
Cerna
1-5
Rm. 107
Thursdays @ 12:00


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TDSB Days of Significance

Feb 2020
1
Imbolc
Wicca/Pagan
African Heritage Month
3
Setsubun
Buddhism - Shinto
Chinese Heritage Month
See Also Asian Heritage (May)
6
Bob Marley Day
Jamaican Canadian Association
Black Queering Month
6
International Day of Zero Tolerance on   Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation
World Health Organization

10-14
Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

15
Buddha’s Death – (Nirvana Day)
Buddhism – Various Sects

15
Meeting of Our Lord
Christianity - Russian Orthodox

17
Family Day
Ontario Government

20
World Day of Social Justice
United Nations

21
International Mother Language Day
United Nations

21
Maha Shivaratri
Hinduism

25-27
Losar New Year
Buddhism - Tibetan, Nepal, Bhutan

26
Ash Wednesday (1st Day of Lent)
Christianity

Feb 26-29
Ayyám-i-Há
Baha’i



March 2020
2
Clean Monday
Christianity – Eastern Orthodox
Greek Heritage Month
8
International Women’s and United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace
United Nations

9-10
Holi*
Hinduism

10-12
Holla Mohalla
Sikhism

10
Purim*
Judaism

12
Kuan Yin Birthday (Guan Yin)
Buddhism - Taiwanese

13
L. Ron Hubbard’s Birthday
Church of Scientology

14
Sikh New Year
Sikhism

20
Ohigan (Spring Equinox)
Japanese National Holiday

21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
United Nations

20
Ostara (Spring Equinox)
Wicca/Pagan

20
Persian New Year (Eid-e-Navroz)
Baha’i/Zoroastrian

21-22
Persian New Year (National Holiday)
Iranian Government

22
Isra’a Wal Miraj*
Islam

22
World Water Day
United Nations

24
Saka New Year (Nyepi)
Hinduism

25
Feast of the Annunciation
Christianity – Eastern Orthodox and Western

21 April
Mid Sha’ban*
Islam
Sikh Heritage Month
25
Ugandi (New Year)
Hinduism

26
Prophet Asho Zartosht’s Birthday
Zoroastrian



Owen Online Family Update - Week of December 18

  Dear Owen Families, As we approach the holidays, we are often reminded to count the ways in which we are fortunate.  While there are many ...